Police force proposal OK'd in Bull Shoals

Alderman Jodi Breedlove constructs deal for policing city

Bull Shoals city council member Jodi Breedlove was the architect of an inter-local proposal to bring in the Marion County Sheriff’s Office as the primary law enforcement agency for the city.(Photo: File photo)

BULL SHOALS — A Bull Shoals alderman has drafted an inter-local proposal that would see Marion County Sheriff's Office deputies take over policing duties for the city for a period of 90 days.

"I spoke to (Marion County Sheriff) Roger Vickers after the (workshop) we had Aug. 18," said Alderman Jodi Breedlove at Thursday night's City Council meeting. "Roger was more than agreeable to do a short-term, inter-local agreement."

The council voted unanimously to move the proposal forward to be ironed out between attorneys for the city and county. After that, Bull Shoals City Council and Marion County Quorum Court would have to vote to approve it.

“I know Mayor (Bruce) Powell had some issues with how this was drafted. I would like to say I had this drafted by our city attorney and approved by (Marion County Sheriff) Roger Vickers' attorney.”

Jodi Breedlove, Bull Shoals city council member

The proposal states that the primary use of a metropolitan branch of the sheriff's office in Bull Shoals would be protection of city residents. MCSO also would handle the investigation of alleged felony offenses. The sheriff would be in charge, using the city's current officers in any manner he sees appropriate in providing law enforcement.

"I know Mayor (Bruce) Powell had some issues with how this was drafted," Breedlove said. "I would like to say I had this drafted by our city attorney and approved by (Marion County Sheriff) Roger Vickers' attorney."

The city would agree to pay the county $25,000 per month and would coordinate efforts to provide greater law enforcement protection at a reduced revenue for citizens. Should the proposal go into effect, it would run until Dec. 31. After that date, the city or county may choose to modify or terminate the arrangement. At prior meetings, Powell said the sheriff's department would not go for a short-term agreement and that a similar deal in Yellville cost approximately $138,000 per year.

Breedlove said there would probably be some small changes that would need to be made, but those could be taken care of by the attorneys. The majority of the council voiced support for the proposed agreement, but Powell raised some issues with it.

"Mr. Powell, you said this couldn't happen, and I made it happen within 10 days," Breedlove said.

After confusion over whether Bull Shoals Mayor Bruce Powell vetoed a proposal to have the Marion County Sheriff's Office patrol Bull Shoals, the issue remained on the Marion County Quorum Court agenda Tuesday night, but no action was taken.(Photo: File photo)

Powell said he was concerned the city would have to lay off the three current employees of the police department, because the force would be disbanded when the agreement took effect.

Alderman Phil Friese said the current department members would be more than welcome to re-apply when the city rebuilds its police force.

Multiple aldermen said they would likely have unemployment coverage until then.

Friese said with a new police force, candidates should be screened by a panel before they are sent to the mayor for approval.

Powell also raised issue with the proposal's language, which said, "Metropolitan vehicles will be identified with a distinctive striping and will be used in and near the city of Bull Shoals."

"This is saying they might not even be here," Powell said. "What is the definition of 'near?' "

"It's the same way they're being used now, Bruce," Friese said.

The city, upon approval of the proposed agreement, would lease to the county all municipally-owned vehicles being used by the Bull Shoals Police department. The use of the vehicles would be primarily for the metropolitan branch.

The county also would maintain all insurance costs as presently required by the city, which would provide money for necessary repair, maintenance and replacement when required. The metropolitan vehicles would be identified with distinctive striping and only be used in and near the city, unless an emergency or unusual situation requires their use away from the city.

The salaries, health insurance, pension fund, worker's compensation and other "reasonably" necessary personnel costs would be kept in accordance with the overall pay scale at the MCSO in such a way that there would be no salary advantages or disadvantages for metropolitan personnel.

The proposal also calls for a board to be created by the city and county for the purpose of effectuating the agreement and coordinating the efforts for carrying it out. The board would consist of the sheriff, Bull Shoals mayor, Marion County judge, one member of city council appointed by the mayor and approved by the council, and one justice of the peace, appointed by the county judge and approved by the quorum court.

"We can come back with a stronger, healthier police department," Breedlove said. "We can come out with something we can be proud of."